6-Day Golden Triangle & Ganges Tour: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi

4.75

(4 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

Delhi hits you right away—the air’s thick with the smell of spices and car horns never really stop. We started out in Old Delhi, squeezing through Chandni Chowk’s maze of shops where vendors call out over the hum of rickshaws. Our guide, Rakesh, pointed out Humayun’s Tomb and explained how it inspired the Taj Mahal. I still remember the cool marble under my hand at Jama Masjid and the way incense drifted from Gurudwara Bangla Sahib as we passed by. Evenings in New Delhi felt different—wide roads, colonial buildings near India Gate, and a quick stop for chai at a street stall before heading back to our hotel.

The next morning in Agra was all about timing—up before sunrise for the Taj Mahal. There’s this quiet moment just before dawn when everything turns soft pink; it’s almost unreal until you hear birds starting up in Mehtab Bagh across the river. Our visit to Agra Fort gave us a glimpse into Mughal life—massive red walls and echoes of history in every courtyard. Later, we watched artisans at Kalakriti Cultural Center craft marble inlay work that looked just like what we’d seen at the Taj.

Jaipur felt warmer—both weather and people. The Amer Fort loomed above us as we took a jeep ride up (walking those rocky steps would’ve been a workout). Inside Hawa Mahal, sunlight filtered through colored windows onto dusty floors. Bapu Bazaar was chaos in the best way: saris everywhere, shopkeepers bargaining with locals over cups of sweet lassi. We wandered past Jal Mahal floating quietly on its lake and stopped at Jantar Mantar to see ancient astronomy tools still standing strong.

Flying into Varanasi was something else entirely. The city buzzes differently—cows wander down alleys and you catch whiffs of marigold garlands mixed with incense smoke from temples. Early mornings meant private boat rides on the Ganges; mist hung low over the water while priests chanted along the ghats. Sadhus sat cross-legged by tiny fires, their faces streaked with ash. Our guide introduced us to a local yogi who shared stories about Nirvana and why pilgrims come here hoping for release from rebirth. We even made it out to Sarnath one afternoon—a peaceful spot compared to Varanasi’s constant motion.